LiontipsMinnesota vs. Montreal. NHL Match Prediction and Bets
Command Analysis
Current form
Minnesota is in second place in the Western Conference and has 23 points, but is seven points behind the leader. In general, the current state of affairs should suit the team completely, because it is often on a winning streak and only occasionally stumbles. For example, in the last series of away games, the Wild were able to win over San Jose (5:2) and confidently beat Anaheim (5:2), but in the final confrontation with Chicago, they unexpectedly lost with a score of 1:2 in overtime and were unable to score more than one goal. John Hynes' team usually has no problem creating and converting chances, and averages at least three goals. Plus, the club remains one of the most reliable in the league in terms of defense and is one of the few that concede few goals. The "Wilds" often manage to maintain an ideal balance between defense and attack, which is why they remain among the leaders of the West. However, the Wild definitely need to improve their shorthanded play, as they currently have a 75% neutralization rate on the opponent power play and, on average, allow them to realize every fourth attempt. However, the team is especially successful in the first 40 minutes of the match, during which they gain a comfortable advantage, but lose concentration in the third period. According to statistics, the club conceded as many goals in the third period as in the first and second periods combined.
Disqualifications and injuries
Brodin and Johansson will not take part in the upcoming fight due to injuries.
Interesting trends for betting
- Minnesota is getting 5.87 penalty minutes per game.
The Wild are still one of the league most disciplined clubs and have few penalties
- The Wild average 19 hits per game.
Minnesota is more goal-oriented and generally avoids physical play.
Current form
Montreal is the main outsider of the Western Conference and has earned only 12 points so far. It will be very difficult for the team to get out of the current situation and improve its position in the standings, because there is no particular progress in its game. Let us recall that the tricolors have just managed to get off a long series of six defeats. After another unsuccessful matches against Calgary (2:3 OT), New Jersey (3:5) and Toronto (1:4), they still found the strength to beat Buffalo on the road with a score of 5:3 and demonstrated some crazy implementation of moments, scoring seven goals in 23 shots.
By the way, Nick Suzuki, Montreal leading scorer, scored twice and made an assist in that match with the Blades. However, if the club looks more or less good in attack and is able to open up the opponent defense, then it has huge problems in defense. By the way, at the moment the team is the most conceding in the league, and on average no less than four pucks end up in its net.
The Canadians always count on open hockey, so it is not surprising that the second period is the most successful for them. In it, they have a ratio of 19:20 in goals scored and goals conceded, but they play rather mediocre in the other two periods and often lose to their opponent.
Disqualifications and injuries
Price, Weidman, Laine and Arve-Pinaard will not play in the upcoming match due to injury
Interesting trends for betting
- Montreal averages 24 shots on target
The Canadians spend most of their time in their own zone and take few shots on the opponent goal.
- On average, the tricolors receive 10.44 minutes of penalty time per match
Canadians typically get sent off at least five times per game.
Trends
Bet 1st period: total under 1.5 goals
In three out of five matches between the clubs, the first period was unscoring
2.00Bet 3rd period: home team to score
In the last three matches, the visitors scored goals in the third period
1.30Tip and bets
Montreal currently looks much weaker than its counterpart and it is no coincidence that it is in the last line of the Western Conference. All previous meetings between the clubs ended exclusively in favor of the Wild, and they often achieved success in regulation time. The Tricolors have just broken a long losing streak with great difficulty and have previously lost to similar opponents by a difference of several goals. We think that the rested and restored Wild will please their fans and prove their superiority over the underdog within 60 minutes. Prediction - Minnesota win for 1.70
Total Bet
Many previous matches involving Minnesota were spectacular and featured six or more goals. Montreal is used to playing exclusively on counter courses and prefers only open hockey. The last two meetings between the teams were also productive. Considering the style of play of the "tricolors", we believe that the upcoming confrontation will also be so, so we suggest betting on the total over. We bet on total over 5.5 goals for 1.67
Bet on individual total
Minnesota rarely concede in matches with such opponents and usually limits itself to only two goals conceded. Montreal, on the contrary, has problems creating chances in matches with leaders and spends most of the time in its own zone, so it is forced to act exclusively on counterattacks. Based on this, we do not think that the guests will be able to score even three goals in this match.
We take Montreal individual total under 2.5 goals for 1.68
